Separable fastener



1 March 7, 1933.

'JQA. H. SIERS SEPARABLE FASTENER Filed June 29, 1931 s Sheets-Shet 1 INVENTOR. Jail/2 A H'Sz'ers.

ZTTORNEK March 7, 1933. J. A. H. SIERS 1,900,390

SEPARABLE FASTENER Filed June 29, 1951 3Sheets-$heet 2 i I I'll IN V EN TOR.

1 A ORNEY.

Patented Mar. 7, 1933 Jomw a. n. sums, or mass! CITY, NEW n zassr snrnnanna msmn v -Applicationl filed June 29,

This invention relates to separable fasteners, and has for its primary object and purpose to provide fastening means of the type generally referred to,as an interlocking 6 or slide fastener, which is of such construction that the complementary fastener elements thereof may be readily secured to suitable tapes for attachment 'to the meeting edges of a garment-or other article and in 10 such manner, that when the fastening means is closed, the severalparts thereof are substantially wholly concealed and invisible.

It is one of the important objects of the invention to provide complementary male '15 and female fastenerelements carried by the respective attaching-tapes, and each of which comprises a sheet metal plate-so formed and bent upon itself as to provide oppositely projecting slide engaging flanges and securmg prongs penetrating the attaching tapes.

The characteristic tion consists essentially in the provision on each male fastener element, of an obliquely projecting lug, and adjacent cooperating female fastener elements having similar lugs obliquely projecting in an opposite direction to the lugs of themale elements'and provided in their opposed side faces with recesses,

grooves or channels, the walls of which cor-- responding in form-to portions of the lugsof the male fastener elements adapted to frictionally engage and thereby retain the lugs of said cooperating fastener elements in interlocked relation;

= i It is a further general object of the invention to provide a separable fastener of this type,- which is comparatively simple in its construction and maybe manufactured and sold at relatively small cost- \Vith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the improved separable fastener and in the form, construction and relative arrangement of its several parts as will be hereinafter'more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined claims.

In the drawings, wherein I have disclosed several simple and practical embodiments of the invention, and in which similar reference substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 1.;

eature of the inventhroughout the several views,.-'

Figure 1 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation partly in section, showing one practical embodiment of my present improve-' 55 ments;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1; a

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional-view taken Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view partly in section of the slide memberv Fig. 5 illustrates in perspective, male and tfemale fastener elements in separated relaion;

.Fig. 6 is a' sectional view similar to Fig. 1' showing a slightly modified formof the device;

FFLE. 7 is a section taken on the line 7-7 of 1 ig. 8 illustrates thecomplementa fas tener elements shown in Figs. 6 an 7 in se aratedrelation; ii. 9 is a transverse sectional view showmg t e meeting edges of a garment or other 75 article-as fastened or connected with tapes provided with my improved fastening means; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view 'taken on, the line 10-10 of Fig. 11, showing another modification of the device; Fig. 11- is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10 showing in addition the fastener tapes and the garment arts A. Fig. 12 is a horizontal section t en substantially on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of the female fastener element shown in Fig. 11;. Fig. 14 is a plan view of the blank from which said fastener element is formed, and

Figs. 15 and 16 are views of the male fas- 9 tener element similar to Figs. 13 and 14.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and for the present more particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 thereof, 5 and 6 respectively, indicate the attaching tapes, to the central portions of 9 which the complementary cooperating fas- I tener elements are secuf'ed in suitably spaced relation to each other longitudinally of the tape. These tapes, are adapted to be secured by stitching or other suitable means indicated 1 at 7 along their longitudinal edges to the inner and outer faces of overlapping edge portions of a garment or other article indicated at A.

Each of the male and female fastener elements includes a plate of sheet metal of suitable width, length and thickness having an intermediate portion 8 and closely engaged reversely bent portions 9, the end portions of the plate being angularly extended to said reversely bent portions 9 as shown at 10 and terminating in the prongs 11 which are adapted to penetrate the tape 6 and be bent or clinched upon one side thereof to position said prongs substantially in the same plane between the tape and the material ,of the garment A as clearly indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Each male fastener element also includes the lug or projection 12 welded or otherwise permanently fixed to the intermediate part 8 of the fastener plate substantially at the center thereof and projecting transversely of said plate and in oblique relation to the plane of said intermediate part 8. As clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings, this lug is of substantially diamond shaped form in cross section.

Each of the female. fastener elements, also includes a lug or projection 13 extending transversely of the fastener plate obliquely with respect to the plane thereof, and in a reverse direction with respect to the lug 12 of the male fastener element. Each lug 13 is provided in its opposite side faces with the substantially V-shaped channels or grooves 14 extending the full length thereof.

The reversely bent parts 9 of the sheet metal fastener elements provide flanges adapted to be engaged by inwardly projecting flanges 16 on the longitudinal edges of the opposite side walls of the slide member 15. This slide member is of the usual type employed in connection with such fasteners, and gradually increases in width towards one of its ends so as to draw the complementary fastener elements together, or separate the same in accordance with the direction in which said slide member is moved. One of the side walls of the slide member 15 is provided with a suitable attaching bar 17 for the relatively shiftable finger piece or loop) 18 and whereby said slide member may e conveniently actuated.

From the above description, the manner of use of my improved separable fastener Wlll be readily understood. The tapes 5 and 6 to which the longitudinally extending series of complementary fastener elements are attached are secured to the overlapping edges of the garment or other article so that the fastener elements and the cooperating slide member 15 will be located at a distance inwardly from the extreme edge of the outer part of the garment material. By then shlfting the slide member 15 in one direct o the eoaeeo lugs 12 of the male fastener elements are caused to enter the channels 14 in the opposed faces of adjacent lugs 13 of the female fastener elements and to frictionally cooperate with the walls of said channels for the entire length of said lugs. Thus due to the oblique or angular relation of these lugs as shown in Fig. 1, the parts are securely interlocked with each other and the edges of the garment are securely held against lateral separation. At the same time, the various parts of the fastening means are substantially concealed and rendered invisible.

In Figs. 6 and 7, I have indicated a slightly difierent form of the fastener elements, in which the cooperating lugs 12 and 13' respectively, instead of being obliquely inclined on straight lines, are curved. The lugs 12' have opposite convex surfaces 12, while the lugs 13 are provided with opposite concaved surfaces13. Thus, when the lugs of the complementary fastener elements are in interlocked relation, the convex surfaces of each lug 12 are frictionally engaged with the concaved surfaces of the adjacent lugs 13, and owing to the longitudinal curvature of these lugs, the fastener elements thus mutually coact so that they are held against relative movement in any direction.

In Figs. 10 to 16 of the drawings, I have illustrated another alternative form of my invention, in which the fastener elements are wholly formed from sheet metal blanks. These blanks as shown in Figs. 14 and 16, are stamped from sheet metal of suitable gauge to provide central'portions extending at an angle with respect to the length of the sheet metal strip and including converging sections 19 and 20 respectively. The sections 19 0f the female'fastening element are adapted to be bent with respect to an intermediate connecting portion 21 to dispose said sections in substantially parallel relation, forming the obliquely disposed lug indicated at 22 in Fig. 13 of the drawings. The intermediate or central part 21 connecting the parallel portions of the lug 22 is provided with the notches or recesses 23 at its opposite edges. The sections 20 of the metal strip forming the male fastener element are also bent into closely contacting parallel relation to each other to form the obliquely disposed lug 24. The other portions of each of the metal strips at opposite sides of the lugs 22 and 24 are bent upon themselves to form the slide engaging flanges 25 and 26 respectively, and the terminal prongs or spurs 27 and 28 adapted to penetrate the fabric or other material and be clinched thereon, in the manner heretofore explained in connection with the first described form of the invention. It will be noted from reference to Fig. 15 of the drawings that the metal strip is so bent upon itself as to provide intervening recesses between the opposite sides of the lug 24 and the flanges site angular directions from the common planes of the flanges 25 and 26 respectively of said elements, Thus, from an inspection of Fig. 11 of the drawings, it will be observed that by means of this construction," a'very close interfitting relationship between the parts of the complementary fastener elements is obtained, thereby effectually preventing any relative transverseshifting movement between these elements when in interlocked relation.

In this latter construction, when the fastener elements are drawn together by the operating slide which is engaged with the flanges 25 and 26 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the opposite edges of the inclined lugs 24 move through the notches or recesses 23 of the lugs 22 on adjacent female fastening elements and are positioned between the spaced parallel walls of said lugs, as clearly shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings. By means of this construction, when the fasteners are interlocked with each other, the flanges 25 and 26 are brought into face to face contact, as shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings. Thus, the space occupied by the fastening means between the overlapping edges of the garment or other article is reduced to a minimum so that the garment at its connected edges will not have a-bulky appearance. For this reason, this last described form ofthe invention may, in many cases, be found preferable. The parts beingwholly constructed from sheet metal stamping's, it is also evident that such a device may be produced at very small manufacturing cost. 1

From the foregoing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and manner of operation of the'several described embodiments of the invention will be clearly and fully understood. It will be seen that I have devised a separable fastener of this kind, which can be easily applied to the garment or other article, may be operated with ease and facility to its closed or opened condition, and by reason of the simple and substantial con: struction of its several parts, will be strong and durable in practical use.

I have herein disclosed various practical forms of my present improvements, but it will nevertheless be understood that the essential features thereof might be incorporated in various other alternative structures, and I therefore, reserve the privilege of resorting to all such legitimate changes therein as may be fairly incorporated within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. Fastening means of the kind described 5 comprising attaching tapes, a series of spaced fastener elements on each tape, each element including a sheet metal plate having parts bent upon themselves and extending transversely of the tape to form flanges and portions terminating in prongs penetrating the tape and clinched thereon, cooperating obli uely inclined interlocking lugs projecting rom the plates of the fastener elements on the respective tapes between the flanges of said plates, and an operating slide engaged with the :flanges of said plates.

2. Fastening means of the kind described comprising attaching tapes, a series of spaced fastener elements on each tape, each element including a sheet metal plate having parts bent upon themselves and extending transversely of the tape to form flanges and portions terminating in prongs penetrating the tape and clinched thereon, cooperating obliquely inclined interlocking lugs projecting from the plates of the fastener elements on the respective tapes between the-flanges of said plates, adjacent lugs of one series of fastener elements having their opposed faces longitudinally grooved throughout the length of said lugs, and the lugs of the other series of fastener elements having opposite side portions adapted -to slidably engage in said grooves and frictionally coact with the walls thereof, and an operating slide engaged with the flanges of said plates.

3. In a separable fastener, flexible supporting parts, complementary male and so that the lug of each male fastener element has interlocking engagement between and with the-,lugs of two adjacent female fastener elements.

4. Ina separable fastener, flexible support-- ing parts, complementary male and female fastenerv elements respectively. attached to said supporting parts and each formed from a single metal strip bent upon itself to provide parts engageable by an operating slide and an intermediate portion of said strip between said parts forming an obliquely disposed lug, the lug of each female element including spaced parallel parts of the strip between which confronting edges of the lugs of two adjacent associated male elements are adapted to engage.

5. In a separable fastener, flexible supporting parts, complementary male and female fastener elements respectively attached to said supporting parts and each of the female fastener elements being formed from a sheet metal strip havingspaced parts engageable by an operating slide with the central portion of the strip formed to provide an obliquely projecting loop between said spaced parts, the connection between the arms of said loop having recesses in opposite edges thereof,and each of the male fastener elements including an obliquely projecting lug, the opposite edges of which are adapted for engagement within said recesses and between the arms of the loops on adjacent female fastener elements.

6. In a separable fastener, complementary series of male and female fastener elements, the individual elements in each series being formed from a single sheet metal strip bent upon itself to provide spaced parts engageable by an operating slide and having end portions terminating in prongs, attaching tapes to which the spaced fastener elements are affixed by said prongs, the sheet metal strip of each fastenerelement having an intermediate portion bent to provide an obliquely projecting lug, and said lugs of the female fastener elements each having spaced parts between which the confronting edges of the lugs of two adjacent associated male fastener elements are adapted to engage.

7. In a separable fastener, flexible supporting parts, complementary male and female fastener elements respectively attached to said supporting parts and each comprising a metal plate having spaced parts engageable by an operating slide, each female fastener element having additional spaced parts obliquely projecting from the plane of said metal plate between said slide engaging parts thereof, and each male fastener element having an obliquely projecting lug between the slide engaging parts thereof, the confronting edges of the lugs on adjacent male elements being adapted for interlocking engagement between the obliquely disposed spaced parts of the same female fastener element.

8. llh a separable fastener, flexible supporting parts, complementary male and female fastener elements respectively attached to said supporting parts and each formed from a sheet metal strip bent upon itself to 'provide spaced parts engageable by an operating slide and a lug interposed between said parts and angularly projecting in opposite directions therefrom, said lug of the female fastener element comprising spaced parts of the metal strip, and said metal strip of the male fastener element being bent to provide an intervening recess between each side of the lug thereon and the slide engaging parts. of said element, and said recesses being adapted to receive the spaced parts of the lug of the female fastener element.

9. An interlocking element for separable I slide fasteners, comprising a sheet metal strip bent upon itself to provide spaced slide engaging flanges disposed in the same plane, an an interposed locking lug projecting in aooaaeo opposite directions from the plane of said flanges in angular relation thereto.

10. An interlocking element for separable slide fasteners, comprising a sheet metal strip bent upon itself to provide spaced slide engaging flanges disposed in the same plane, and an interposed locking lug projecting in o posite directions from the plane of said anges in angular relation thereto, the said lug being separated from each of said flanges by an intervening recess. I

11. An interlocking element for separable slide fasteners comprising a sheet metal strip bent upon itself to provide spaced slide engaging flanges disposed in the same plane and spaced parallel parts between said flanges constituting a locking lug projecting in opposite directions from the plane of said flanges in angular relation thereto.

12. In a separable fastener, flexible supporting parts, a series of spaced fastener elements attached to one side face of each of said supporting parts, said elements in each series having interlocking lugs, said lugs on the opposing series of elements projecting in reverse directions and at oblique angles relative to the planes of the respective supporting parts and having co-acting means direct- 

